Saranis

The ruins of Kirin'Var Village reminded Sylvanas of Quel'Thalas, except that the village could not be rebuilt and had become a place haunted by Mana Beast overflowing from Mana Bomb and Ancient Spirit.

The most central place in the village is the Mage Tower.

"A typical human architectural style," Sylvanas murmured as she stood at the foot of the tower, finding that this most prominent building in the entire village was completely intact.

Was Vargoth imprisoned here? Why didn't Khadgar come to rescue him himself? And why weren't the tower doors sealed, and there were no guards around? Why didn't Vargoth leave on his own? The Female Elf stepped inside, filled with these questions. As soon as she passed through the arched doorway, she felt as if half her power had been drained, and her consciousness and senses became dulled. In a panic, Sylvanas immediately retreated.

What was going on? Her eyes widened, and she tried to reach out and touch it. Sure enough, when her hand passed through the door, the strength suddenly vanished.

"There's something wrong with this tower!" Sylvanas gasped, hesitating. She suspected it was a trap.

"There's no danger in the tower, come in."

The sudden voice made Sylvanas turn around, but there was nothing there. She also realized that the voice hadn't come from behind her. Instead...

She looked down at the Staff Fragment in her hand. The fragment trembled slightly and was glowing.

Is this little gadget talking to her?

"Come to the top of the tower! We need to talk."

Sylvanas knew who was speaking. She suppressed her discomfort and entered the tower, then after a few steps casually and wearily leaned against a pillar at the top of the spiral staircase to catch her breath. She looked up at the stairs, which seemed endless. At that moment, she desperately wanted to ask Vargoth why he wanted her to go up. If the mage was inside the tower, he could easily come down. Sylvanas feared she might lose control and throw Vargoth off the steps if she saw him. But she only gave a low snort, glared fiercely at the top of the tower, and then strode up.

She finally reached the very top of the tower. Here, niches carved with the Eye of Kirin Tor and stained-glass windows were interspersed throughout. The entire hall looked remarkably similar to Jaina's Mage Tower. Sylvanas could clearly see the myriad bottles and jars around her. A circular platform stood in the very center of the hall, upon which rested a precious orb. Sylvanas recognized such objects; they were magical artifacts with scouting abilities.

The master of the Mage Tower stood at the top of a ladder, rummaging through something on a bookshelf. The Archmage was shorter than Sylvanas, and his large brown beard made him appear even younger than Khadgar.

Vargoth didn't turn around, but asked directly, "Did Khadgar send you?" His voice was clear and strong, and although the question seemed casual, it carried a hint of warning.

"Yes," Sylvanas replied. Despite her efforts to conceal it, she couldn't stop panting after the climb. To break the silence and get away quickly, she pointed to the orb, still panting, "So, you knew I was coming?"

Vargoth turned back, carefully examined Sylvanas, and nodded, saying, "The orb behind me can be used to peek into what is happening in Azeroth. Kael'thas's curse changed everything, and of course, during these many years of isolation, I have found solace in its image. The wind cannot dispel the lingering sorrow, nor can the flowers paint the homesickness."

Sylvanas's lips twitched involuntarily; Vargoth's inexplicable words made her uneasy. She wanted to teach the mage a lesson, or simply abandon him. "You just mentioned a curse? What curse?"

"Didn't you feel it?"

The power has vanished! Sylvanas realized that she had thought Vargoth was behind it all, but she hadn't expected that the mage was also a victim.

"Is it Kael'thas?"

"Looking back now, it's truly unimaginable that Kael'thas possessed such powerful magical abilities. I knew he was a very talented mage, but the spells he used on the day he attacked Kirin'Var Village were completely beyond my comprehension." Vargoth sighed heavily, as if recalling the day Kirinvar was attacked. Seventeen years without stepping outside the Mage Tower ... yet Vargoth didn't seem to have gone mad. His hair was long and loosely styled. His purple pointed hat lacked the wrinkles of age. However, like other humans, time had etched lines onto the mage's face. His eyes held a hint of weariness. "The barrier Kael'thas placed on the Mage Tower prevented me from leaving, but thankfully it couldn't stop others from completing this task."

"Why doesn't Khadgar come in person?"

"At that time, Shattrath had not yet launched an attack on Netherstorm."

"So that's how it is," Sylvanas said sarcastically. "That's a convincing reason." She felt she had fallen into a trap. "Tell me, how am I going to get you out of here? Get to the point, I don't have much time."

"You must go to the Ecology Ship in Tempest Keep to find Saranis."

"Commander Saranis?" Sylvanas said the name. "I remember her. She was one of Kael'thas's advisors."

"She participated in the attack on Kirin'Var Village. The key to breaking the curse on this tower lies with her," Vargoth added.

"So, I'm going to attack the Ecology Ship?" The Female Elf frowned. "That won't be easy. The attack on the Netherstorm has only just begun, and it will probably take some time."

"I've been here for seventeen years, a few more days won't make a difference." Vargoth shrugged and nimbly jumped down from the ladder.

Two people of different races stood face to face, gazing at each other. Vargoth's casual tone made Sylvanas wonder if he had been there for seventeen minutes, not seventeen years.

Why does he seem so indifferent?

After a while, Vargoth finally spoke, "I like quiet." His face softened, revealing a genuine smile. His voice warmed, "Thank you for agreeing to come and rescue me, Khadgar."

"It's just a matter of mutual benefit." Sylvanas tossed the Staff Fragment to Vargoth. "This is yours, isn't it? Here you go."

Like wearing a mask of indifference, Vargoth took the fragment, placed it in his palm, and examined it closely. "Khadgar didn't even consider restoring it? I'm disappointed." He looked up. "I need some time to repair my staff."